The Truth About Limited Book Choices in Schools

In this S1E7 interview, high school English teacher Morgan Jackson reveals the critical difference between diversity and equity in classroom libraries - and why it matters more than you think. Morgan reveals the critical difference between diversity and equity in classroom libraries - and why it matters more than you think. She teaches 11th and 12th grades at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, breaks down why simply having diverse books isn't enough. She explains how trauma-centered diverse literature can actually harm students and shares practical strategies for creating truly equitable representation in your classroom.What You'll Learn:• The difference between diversity vs. equity in education• Why trauma-based diverse books can be harmful to students• How to create inclusive classrooms that truly serve all students• Effective teaching strategies for difficult conversations• Student engagement techniques that honor every child's identity• Pro-kid mindset approaches to book selection• Culturally responsive teaching methods that workEpisode Mentions: Morgan’s Published Writing:Jackson, Morgan (2021).  How Librarians and Teachers Can Cultivate Diverse Books That Go Beyond the Trauma Experience.  We Need Diverse Books.Morgan’s Recommended Resources: Booksource. (2022). Why Incidental Diversity is Important In Your Classroom Library. We Need Diverse BooksDr. Bichmore’s YA Wednesday blogThe Brown Bookshelf - United in StoryOther Notes:National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE)Nerdy Book Club - a community of readersPerfect for: teachers, education coaches, school administrators, parents, homeschoolers, teacher mentors, instructional leaders, school counselorsChapters0:00 - Introduction & Welcome0:27 - Meet Morgan Jackson: From Middle School to High School1:12 - The Inspiring Teacher in Morgan's Life2:13 - Defining the Problem: Diversity vs. Equity Confusion4:01 - The Power of Rudine Sims Bishop's Mirror/Window Quote4:45 - Why Diverse Representation Isn't Enough6:42 - The Pitfalls of Trauma-Centered Diverse Literature7:18 - The COVID Analogy: Understanding Trauma Fatigue9:08 - Moving Beyond Trauma: What Students Actually Need9:42 - Resources for Equitable Book Selection11:01 - The Cognition Piece: Who Are We Putting Forward?12:02 - "If a Book Doesn't Belong, The Kid Doesn't Belong"12:45 - Addressing Book Banning and Censorship14:16 - Teaching Critical Thinking Over Content15:50 - Having Difficult Conversations with Students17:59 - Handling Parental Pushback19:48 - Student-Centered Approach to Literature20:32 - Final Thoughts: It's Not Just About Seeing YourselfWhen teachers, coaches, administrators, and families grow together, they create schools where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged, supported, and ready to thrive.